10 Facts About Chocolate for World Chocolate Day 🍫

1. M&M's Were Created for Soldiers

M&M's were created in 1941 by Forrest Mars and R. Bruce Murrie. They were initially developed to allow soldiers to carry chocolate in warm climates without it melting. The candy-coated shell protects the chocolate inside, making them perfect for snacking on the go.

2. Why Are They Called Hershey's Kisses?

Hershey's Kisses have been around since 1907. The name "Kisses" is believed to have come from the sound and motion the machine makes when depositing the chocolate. Today, more than 70 million Hershey's Kisses are produced each day.

2. Chocolate Was Once a Beverage

Before it was a sweet treat, chocolate was consumed as a bitter drink. The Aztecs mixed ground cacao beans with spices, water, and cornmeal to create a frothy beverage called "xocoatl."

4. Kit Kats Have a Strange Production Process

Kit Kat bars are known for their crisp wafer layers covered in chocolate. The wafers are actually made from rejected Kit Kat bars that didn't meet the quality standards. These bars are crushed and added to the wafer mix, ensuring that no chocolate goes to waste.

5. The World's Largest Chocolate Bar

In 2011, the world's largest chocolate bar was created by Thorntons in the UK. It weighed a whopping 12,770 pounds (5,792 kilograms) and measured 13 feet 1 inch (4 meters) by 13 feet 1 inch. That's a lot of chocolate!

6. Snickers Were Named After a Horse

Snickers, named after the Mars family's favorite horse, was introduced in 1930. It quickly became one of the best-selling candy bars in the world. Today, more than 15 million Snickers bars are produced every day.

7. Toblerone's Iconic Shape Was Inspired By...

Toblerone's distinctive triangular shape is said to be inspired by the Matterhorn mountain in the Swiss Alps. The chocolate, created by Theodor Tobler in 1908, contains honey and almond nougat, giving it a unique flavor and texture.

8. Milky Way Wasn't Inspired by the Galaxy

The Milky Way bar was created in 1923 by Frank C. Mars. It was named after a popular malted milk drink of the time, not the galaxy. The bar's creamy, nougat center was designed to taste like malted milk, a popular flavor in the 1920s.

9. The Meaning of Twix 

Twix, introduced in the UK in 1967 and later in the US in 1979, features two cookie bars covered in caramel and coated in chocolate. The name "Twix" is a combination of "twin" and "sticks," reflecting its dual-bar format.

10. The Secret of Ferrero Rocher

Ferrero Rocher, a luxurious chocolate and hazelnut confection, was introduced in 1982. The production process is a closely guarded secret, but it's known that each Ferrero Rocher is made with a whole hazelnut, creamy filling, and a crisp wafer shell, all covered in milk chocolate and chopped hazelnuts.

As you celebrate World Chocolate Day, enjoy these sweet facts about your favorite chocolate candies. Whether you're indulging in a classic Hershey's Kiss or savoring the rich flavors of a Ferrero Rocher, remember that each piece of chocolate comes with its own unique history and story. Happy World Chocolate Day! 🍫